By Ebere Suzy Okoye
Armed men believed to be local vigilance group members attached to Our Lady’s Industrial Centre, Nkpor, Idemili North local Government Area, Anambra State at the weekend set ablaze the House of the Parish Priest in charge of our Lady’s Catholic Church, within the industrial premises, Rev. Father Martin Onukwuba and the Boys’ quarters.
According to Rev Father Onukwuba said that himself and the Resident Priest, Rev Father Ben Oguejiofor escaped death by the whiskers hinting that some of the laity that witnessed the attack did not know how both priests escaped.
He expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be brought to justice no matter how highly placed.
In the words of the parish priest, “I don’t know when we will be back to the house again because the destruction is took much. We can’t live here for now”.
On the arrest made by the police he said “those hoodlums who attacked us were yet to be arrested, those arrested were mere workers at the bakery now that our lawyer has taken up the matter there is no cause for alarm”.
The counsel to the church, Barrister C.J Asiegbu appointed accusing finger at the proprietress and management of the industrial centre who he disclosed were in court with the church prior to the incident over ownership of the church premises.
Also speaking, Rev. father Oguejiofor who scaled the fence when the attackers came calling told the members of the church flogged by the armed men to take heart and declined further comment as father Onukwuba held brief for both of them.
Properties estimated into millions of naira were destroyed and saved items were seen being transferred to another parish when this reporter called.
Items burnt included, electrical appliances, chairs, tables, books, cooking utensils, plates, clothes, pictures, clocks, fathers’ house and boys quanters
Contacted on the incident, the Ogidi Divisional police officer, DPO, Mr. Abdul Yusurf, confirmed the incident and arrest of some suspects but declined further comment
